New Years' Resolutions Revisited-- 2002

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Just for giggles, I found my list of New Year's Resolutions from 2002-2005. How little progress I've made on one hand, and how much I've made on the other!

For 2002, my goal was to:
* lose 40 pounds (from a starting point of 182.5)
* exercise 3x/week
* establish a daily practice (spirituality), including trying to follow the 8-fold path each day
* establish a food plan
* reduce stress at work
* clean/straighten the house
* learn how to say "no"
* finish 2 quilts.

The over the next few years, these same things reappeared and other things were added such as decreasing caffeine, getting enough sleep, establishing a budget, pay off a visa and two I thought were interesting--get better control of emotional triggers and increase objectivity. Yeah, right.

Not on the list, but major events just the same, since 2002 I was set free from a marriage that was extremely toxic; graduated from nursing school; got out of another unhealthy relationship before I did something stupid like get married; quit drinking; moved across country; was able to provide support to my parents when my sister was in the ICU for a month thanks to an aneurysm, when my dad had combination pneumonia/heart attack, and mom had her mini-stroke; bought a house; .... I'm sure there were some more little stressors in there somewhere.

So, even with the passing of a decade, most of the goals are still applicable. Am I going to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result? Nope. I've got Spark!

I've got a reasonable weight goal set and the right tools in place to reach that goal--portion control, using the food tracker, adding more veggies and water, cutting out sodas, and increasing my activity level. Now that my motivation has returned, I'm finally getting back on track.

I printed out a training plan for a half-marathon. I may not be able to be ready in time for the one in March, but it'll get me moving. There's a couple 5K's around, I can explore for a 10K, and there's a local 13.1 in October.

I'm still struggling with the food plan, but one thing I've done is done more batch cooking and have frozen single portions for when I don't have time to cook or need something to take for lunch. I'm working on my garden, will be expanding it this year, and it'll be interesting to see how the fruit trees do.

For the daily practice, I'm trying to incorporate that into a daily morning and evening routine so it'll be more habit-forming. I'm pulling from resources I have and what I've noticed on both work days and days off to come up with something reasonable. It's also going to involve some straightening on a regular basis, cos these three cats of mine can get cat hair and litter all over the place!

One thing different this year that I haven't done before will be a reward system...with treats that don't involve food. Still working on this one in terms of specifics.

The other reason why I think I'll succeed this year as opposed to the preceding years, is I've got the best, most awesome support network a gal could ever want!!!!!

You have come very far in terms of your mental and emotional preparedness for this journey; and it is a journey. These changes have a beginning, and they - and we - evolve over time. But, properly accomplished, our changes have no end. They are perpetuated, in order to perpetuate the outcomes of the changes made.

I know that you can achieve any goal that you set for yourself, now. You are strong enough. You are honest enough with yourself. You are truly deserving. You are able to seek out healthy and emotionally nourishing people and activities. And, you are able to incorporate the healthy changes you are making into your daily life.

I have complete faith in your ability to become the Healthy, Happy YOU that you have decided to become!

I agree, this website offers the greatest support system! It's important to write down goals but it's even more important that when you fall down that you share your experiences so us sparkies can help pick you back up and get back on track! This is the only way to achieve the goals you've set.

This coming year will be different. You'll attain many of your goals as long as you are consistent in keeping touch with this wonderful community!

You've hit the nail on the head!!! It is not WHAT our goals will be. Your past goals were healthy and well thought out. Now we have the HOW and the WHEN to go with it. Sparkpeople is so great at stressing the goal setting process..... small achievable objectives that lead to larger measurable goals, with a time frame, and a plan. Congratulations on such great insights. You've helped us all by sharing.Leslie